Woman on first date with man who put seven police officers in hospital after high speed chase 'wishes it had never happened'
The woman who found herself on a horror first date with a man who put seven police officers in hospital after a high speed motorway chase 'wishes it had never happened'.
Mother-of-two Courtney Redfern, 27, was being driven home on April 9 in Gateshead, Tyne by Mazyar Azarbonyad, 20, in his BMW Five Series when officers attempted to pull him over due to a faulty rear light.
Despite Courtney's protests, Iranian-born Azarbonyad - who had no licence or insurance - put his foot down and led police on a terrifying high speed pursuit through Gateshead and onto the A1M towards Newcastle.
Supported from above by the force helicopter, four police cars performed a tactical stop manoeuvre, boxing in Azarbonyad's car and bringing it to a halt.
But seconds later an unmarked police Volvo slammed into the cars at 80mph, unaware they were stationary in the carriageway and causing a scene described as 'carnage' by witnesses.
Caught in the centre of it was Courtney, who like her date, miraculously escaped without any major injuries.
A source close to the 27-year-old today revealed that she wishes she had never been a part of the nightmare collision.
"[Courtney] wishes that it had never happened. She was caught up in this through no fault of her own,' they told The Mirror.
The newspaper also reported today that Courtney had only met Azarbonyad the day before the horrific smash in April and that he had 'panicked' when she told him that she had drugs in her possession.
Another source close to Courtney last month told MailOnline that she and her family had been left 'traumatised' by the ordeal.
They said: 'It was a first date and no one could have expected an outcome like that from what should have been an ordinary evening out.
'It's fortunate that no one was killed when looking at the wreckage left behind, it was all anyone who saw it could talk about.
'She's recovering but it was obviously a major shock.'
It was also reported today that Courtney had only met Azarbonyad (above) the day before the horrific smash on April 9 and that he 'panicked' when she told him that she had drugs on her
Courtney was arrested alongside Azarbonyad on suspicion of aiding and abetting dangerous driving at the time.
The young mum from Newcastle was told she would face no further action, but later accepted a police caution for possession of cannabis for personal use.
Gym-goer Courtney, who in the past has run a pub in the Gateshead area, is not believed to have continued to see Azarbonyad after the collision.
At a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on May 25 Azarbonyad simply laughed when asked whether he was still in touch with his date from the disastrous night of April 9.
Earlier this month Azarbonyad pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, two counts of failing to stop, having no licence and driving with no insurance.
He was jailed for 14 months with a three years and seven months road ban. The maximum sentence for dangerous driving is two years.
Judge Gittins said Azarbonyad's speed reached a 'hair raising' level, adding: 'It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was more seriously injured or that there were not multiple fatalities.
'It is difficult to imagine a worse single offence of dangerous driving without serious injury or death being caused.'
Prosecutor Jolyon Perks told the court it was 'truly remarkable' nobody was seriously injured.
Mr Perks added: 'He was pursued by a number of police vehicles with lights illuminated.
Judge Gittins said Azarbonyad's speed reached a 'hair raising' level and that it was 'nothing short of a miracle' that there were not multiple fatalities
'The lead police pursuit vehicle had dash cam footage which showed the defendant travelling in excess of 100mph and them approaching speeds of 120mph in an attempt to get away from the police.
'As the defendant apporached the junction of the A186 he chose to abandon his attempt to escape but rapidly decelerated from 119mph to a complete stop in the middle of the carriageway.
'As a consequence the pursuing police vehicles were forced to emergency brake in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid serious collision.
'The collision was captured on CCTV footage from a police air support helicopter.'
The court heard that despite the devastation he caused on April 9, Azarbonyad was back behind the wheel on April 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16, which he claimed was essential for him to get to work.
Penny Hall, defending, said Azarbonyad travelled from Iran to the UK with his uncle, who he lost contact with during the journey and has not seen any of his family since.
Miss Hall said Azarbonyad spent time in the care system until he reached 18 when he was assisted with getting a tenancy for his home, which he will lose if he goes to prison and has no real support.
Azarbonyad, who came to the UK from Iran aged 14, was granted leave to remain as a refugee.
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It is understood Courtney didn't know about his driving record and the pair never met again after that night, reports the Mirror. A source, who requested to remain anonymous said: "She wishes it had never happened. "She was caught up in this through no fault of her own." Courtney met Azarbonyad the day before the date and he 'panicked' when she told him that she had drugs on her. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Azarbonyad was sentenced to 14 months in a youth detention centre. Judge Tim Gittins told him previously: "It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was seriously injured and there were not multiple fatalities. Your dangerous driving was prolonged, persistent and deliberate. It is difficult to imagine a worse case of dangerous driving without serious injury or death being caused.' The smash caused 'regional traffic chaos' which would have cost 'tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage'. It is thought that the damage the vehicles alone was at least £250,000. 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"The defendant was required to stop but made off towards Swalwell Bank. He was then spotted again at 2.15am in the area and PC Wilson pulled over to allow traffic units trained in pursuit to take over. "The defendant drove off again at speed and was travelling in excess of 100mph on the A1. He reached speeds of 120mph and then attempted to give way to the police. "Courtney Redfern had met the defendant for the first time that evening and he told her that he drove off due to a defective light. She told him that she had a small amount of drugs." She accepted a police caution for possession of cannabis for personal use. Azarbonyad told police that his driving had been 'sh**', Mr Perks added. He also drove without a licence and no insurance on four occasions after being granted bail at his first appearance before magistrates in April. Penny Hall, mitigating, stated that he had fled Iran when he was just 14 years and had been without any parental guidance since he was taken into care in the UK. He left when he was 18. Azarbonyad had left Iran with his uncle, but the pair lost each other en route and he had been alone ever since. She went on: "He was not seen at all by anyone once he left the care system at 18 in this country, apart from the occasional letter and phone call, it ended there. "He had no direction provided from there and no support, no guidance. He has shown a good work ethic and worked as a personal trainer but lost his job as a result of these offences when police turned up to arrest him. "He is terrified of the prospect of going to prison." He had 'panicked' when his passenger told him that she had some drugs with her and that had resulted in him leaving the scene at speed, she added. Speaking after the case, Supt Billy Mulligan, of Northumbria Police, said: 'It is sheer luck that Mazyar Azarbonyad did not kill anyone with his reckless actions. "What should have been a simple stop turned into him driving incredibly dangerously in a bid to get away from officers. He showed absolutely zero regard for the safety of anyone else. 'I would like to recognise the bravery of the officers involved. While three officers returned to duty, four remain off work. They were simply doing their job, protecting the public from the actions of someone who was not qualified or insured to drive." The judge stressed Ms Redfern had no idea of Azarbonyad's driving record. It is understood that they did not see each other again. When asked by the Mirror, Azarbonyad smiled when asked about if he saw her again.
